Surround yourself with the one you want to be...

Humans are born self motivated, as infants, we strive to copy that of our parents. Babbling, crawling, leads to walking. We learn to talk, from what we hear and see everyday. As children grow, they somewhat evolve.
People evolve based on what they see and experience in the immediate surroundings. So, if we see our families doing something, we assume it to be correct. These are people we trust and believe in.

As we go through life, we encounter many people, who influence our decisions. The chances are great though, that we discuss with a family member first.
After all, we trust them and they love us.

But the question is, do they know best?

As people, we are influenced by the people we surround ourselves with. For example, I have friends that enjoy time in their yard, drinking. So, what did I do, go hang out and drink with them. Was that a good choice? Probably not. So, I quit doing it.

I have friends that eat out all the time, but I choose not to partake, because I am a snob?? No, because I know it's not what's right for me.

In order to make a change in your life, whatever that may be, surrounding yourself with people you trust, your friends and family, need to be like minded. No, I am not saying avoid your family because they think differently. What I am saying, is that find people that you can truly associate with, who may have similar goals.
The reward for this is having a cheering section if you will. They will celebrate your success with you, because they too, want a success.
People who aren't on your wavelength may have difficulty with the high-five or nice job. This can cause unneeded angst, or even a major slip up in meeting whatever goal you have set.

So, if you are on the path to health, wellness, fitness, look around to see what your current circle is doing. If they eat fast food all the time, this may be something you need to re-think or simply, just a "no".

And do NOT abandon your friends, simply make some new ones!!  Maybe, when they see your change for the better, you will inspire something.
This will help you in so many ways to achieve the goals you want. After all, aren't we all happy when  you have someone cheering you on??

In health, B

I learn something new....every day

Today, like every other day, I got up and went to work. And in my travels, I saw an article that I thought was great. And I shared it. Little did I know what came next. 
It was a light bulb moment.

Looking at yourself, truly, can be the hardest thing to do. As a fitness instructor people look to you to be the leader, the mentor and it's great. But we all can be better. 

Many years ago, I was offered the chance to teach Bodypump, but I declined, because I didn't want to video myself teaching. That is part of the pre-requisite to get there. And frankly, I didn't want to look at myself that closely. Probably too scared to.
But, I finally did it. And what did I learn, was that I became a better instructor because I had to watch myself teaching and coaching. I taped alot, because, I was critical of myself, constructively,  in meeting the objectives. 

On another note, I may be self critical, but I am also very self motivated. From the age of about 8, I went and got a job, because I had goals. It wasnt enough to be the cashier at McDonalds, I had to move up to hostess, at 16. When I worked at the hospital, it wasn't enough to work ICU, I had to cross train to the emergency room and dialysis too. When I went to Liberty, it wasn't enough to case manage, I had to do more. I saw many people along the way, being what I considered to be mediocre. Doing just enough to get by, but no, I had to do more.I didn't understand that, and to be honest, I still don't. Perhaps I am not meant to...... I am definitely driven to be more. Overchiever??? Sometimes....

So, when I shared my article, on the will to succeed, not everyone felt the same way as me, about it. I proceeded to re-read the article through a different view, and wow, I realized that the article was a little 'rough". Now, I still enjoyed it but I can see how not everyone would interpret it the same way. 


After class tonight, I was talking to a friend, and we were discussing my "issue", that I am so driven, to change the world, and help others, that she gave me some advice. 
This is advice I have heard before, and obviously, I need to think about it more...

You can't change others, but you can love them where they are. 
And when they are ready, or want to, they will come back. 

So, what did I learn? In order to make a change in the world, I must first change myself. 
I must realize that my passion and purpose, must take place internally and that although it's ok to share it externally, it needs to be done 'with gentle hands". A true understanding that everyone has their own purpose, and it may not match up with mine, and that's ok......

As said so well, in a movie once, "you aren't going to happy if you aren't going Mach 2 with your hair on fire".......That's about right for me. 
I may not slow down, I will not stop trying to improve, and I will continue to press on and hope to make a difference in the lives of others. 

I am working on it. I am truly lucky to know people who can help me become better as well... you know who you are.

In health and happiness, B

Are you fed up yet???

I have said it before, you have to get fed up with whatever the situation is, before you will make a true change.
Whether we are talking about health, family, finances, jobs....We all have something in our lives that we want to change for the better, but we don't do it, we hope that it will just get better.
Well, sorry to bust the bubble, but it's not going to, unless you make a change.

Change is hard. We get into a routine, a comfort zone, and it's very hard to break out of that. Why?? Because it's easier. Making a change can be very scary, because it's different. Human nature will go with the easier path, but that path, may be the exact one that you are on.

I read a book recently, called Rhino Success. And it describes 2 ways of life. You can be the cow in the pasture, watching the cars go by, happy to eat the grass and chew your cud. Or you can be the rhino, and really, go after what you want. Charging through all the cows and finding change that you will implement. And forget complacency.

Many people I know, are the cows. They want something different, they know they need it, but they are happy in their pasture, so, why do something different??
I have difficulty understanding that. That's because I am very driven. I want more. I don't want to chill all the time. I want to change the world for the better. The better is whatever that person wants.

Good things come to those who wait....sure they do, but will they act on it, or let that good thing pass by.

I will do it tomorrow. I have said it before. Tomorrow never comes. Today's tomorrow becomes today and the tomorrow is yet another day.

So if you are fed up about your health, act on it, find someone, like me, whose passion is helping others in fitness and connect. You will never know the answer until you ask. And the worst thing they can say is "no".
But you will never know until you pose the question.
If it's finances, you may have to do something you have never done before. And yes, it's scary, but the fear will subside, and over time, you will be comfortable doing that thing, you have never done before.
Weight loss. yes, it's tough, and exercising probably won't get easier, but you will get better at it. And as the scale moves down, it's highly likely that it will be the change you are looking for, and all of a sudden, you will be that RHINO, charging forward.

It's small steps, in the beginning, but change can and will motivate you. It's taking those first steps that are the hardest.

Once you take it, the momentum can keep you going....

In health,

Barb

Body by Advocare

This week I posted a photo of myself, using a cool app, Instagram. I, of course, shared that pic online on my Facebook page. I didn't do for any other reason, other than being proud of the results that I have gotten with using the best supplements I have ever tried. 

I have been a fitness instructor for nearly 10 years, teaching everything from Turbokick, to resistance classes, cycle and even Aquatics. I worked out for me, even before that. But for me, I still felt like I didn't look the part. I knew I was "in shape". But I still battled with some bulges, and I was looking for something that would help.

I have tried many different types of supplementation, protein shakes, and such, and cleaning up the diet. And even changing up my exercise routine. 
When I started teaching Les Mills PUMP, I saw some great changes in my body, and I liked what I saw. But I still wasn't where I wanted to be. 
So, I re-engaged and got back on Advocare, as I had done several years back. But this time, It was different, I followed a good regimen and I did my homework. 
I did research on each product to know exactly what it was.. I watched training videos, by the best coaches, and looked at the science. Being a nurse, I know what makes one at risk for disease, and I decided, NOT ME!!!

BUT, my point here, is that Advocare is a supplement. The definition of a supplement is:
Something added to complete a thing, make up for a deficiency, or extend or strengthen the whole.

It gives added benefit to the exercise, the diet and everything else I do, to make up for a deficiency. There is science that shows that our diets, no matter how good you eat, will still have gaps in essential nutrition. 
This filled in the gap for me. 

And low and behold, my body responded, EXACTLY the way I wanted it to. 

We have all heard the phrase, Abs are made in the kitchen. A healthy body is 70% of nutrition and what you put into it. This is Core nutrition. The products I put in my body, are truly a huge source of how I look. 

Oh yeah, my point. Several people commented that my exercise regimen is what made me look like that, well, not exactly true. 
As I said above, I have been a fitness person for a lot longer than I have been using Advocare products, yet the change occurred by feeding my body right! 
That is point of this entire blog. 
Yes, I exercise more than the average joe, and there is no replacement to exercise. We must do it, especially since we are much more sedentary by nature, due to the age of technology. 
Advocare is not a magic solution. It will not replace exercise. It's not designed that way. 

The logo or tagline, is "We build Champions". Think about that. Build. Building takes time and effort and there is a natural plan, when building. It's doesn't just happen. 


So, yes, this is a Body by Advocare, with the dedication and assistance of Turbokick, Pump, Cycling and of course COMBAT. 

If you want more info, check out my site and see what I saw....
www.motiveightme.com/bmarco70


In health...
Barb

It's not a diet, it's a lifestyle...

Every day that I am alive, I see it all around me, billboards advertising cheap, fast food. McDonalds, Wendy's all talking about the $$ menu. Cheap food, tastes good, but knowing that it's not really food at all. It's preservatives, it's fillers, and it leaves you temporarily full, but with what?? Certainly not core nutrition that your body needs.

I see the people around me eating junk, even when I go to the YMCA, the front desk staff have fast food sitting around. DRIVES me crazy. Yesterday, I saw someone driving along, with what looked like a double whopper in his hand. Scarfing down french fries, like he had never seen food before.

I get it, we are all in a hurry to get where we are going, and stopping at a drive through is convenient and fast, but alas, no longer all that cheap. Normally, I plan my lunches for work, but since we just got back from our trip, I had not made the grocery store yet, poor planning on my part. So, my to do list, bank, post office that day. I went to Tom thumb, hit the bank, then grabbed some lunch, turkey sandwich, banana and some soup. Took 4 minutes in the store and out the door with a lunch that was relatively healthy and less than $5.

We, as a nation, must understand how detrimental this habit of eating is on our bodies. You can't expect to put that type of food in your body and expect it to respond. Obesity and type 2 diabetes are epidemics now.
Sedentary jobs are the norm. We don't move like we did 50 yrs ago. Technology does the work for us.
What is a healthy meal? Can you answer that??
Drinks that come in a carbonated can, are loaded with chemicals, to keep it from spoiling. Frozen entrees, like healthy choice, are loaded with sodium and other preservatives, making them not so healthy. Although they are quick, and in a pinch, can prevent the fast food drive through. But,seriously, not every day!!

When you eat like that, there are gaps in your bodies' needs that result in cravings. It's your body telling you, feed me something better. You can fill in the gaps, but eating better and supplementing your diet with the appropriate nutrition and vitamins.

I choose my supplements carefully. I research and review, so that I know, I am giving my body what it needs. And guess what, at 42, my body is responding very well and performing better than when I was in my 20's and 30's.
Do your homework, know what is contained in what you eat and do the research on core nutrition. We have some of the best scientists who do this for a living.

I don't crave the junk anymore, birthday cakes at the office, don't interest me, because my body has what it needs. Think about this for a  minute. If you don't crave junk, you won't want junk and don't treat your body like a trash can. YOU ARE WORTH much more.
 In health, Barb